The Bicentennial Jewel

The Bicentennial Jewel is made of white gold, diamonds, rubies and sapphires and is in the shape of the official
1976 Bicentennial symbol. The neck support contains thirteen stars representing the thirteen original colonies.
The pendant may be removed and worn as a pin.

In 1976 the country celebrated the two hundred year anniversary of the American Revolution. The American Bicentennial
celebration lasted the entire year. It included parades, patriotic ceremonies and patriotic gifts to the President
and the nation. President Gerald R. Ford decided to accept on behalf of the nation all Bicentennial gifts which
were sent to the White House. Gifts ranged from Bicentennial squeaker toys to model fire hydrants painted as
colonial soldiers, and even jewelry. One of the most impressive Bicentennial gifts was the Bicentennial Jewel
made by Pierre J. Touraine.

Pierre Touraine was a world renowned jeweler before he made the Bicentennial Jewel in 1976. Born in Marseille,
France, Touraine began working with gems early and created many pieces for European Royalty and aristocracy. He
was selected to be one of the jewelers for the coronation of George VI of England. Some of his work was also
displayed at the World’s Fair in New York in 1964. Other famous works that Touriane assisted with include The
Black Star of Queensland; the worlds largest cut black sapphire, which weighs 733 carats. He also assisted with
the four famous presidents in sapphire, which includes Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Eisenhower.

In 1938 Touraine immigrated to the United States, where he lived in New York City. In 1942 he was chosen to do
the intricate gold sculpturing for an exhibition of Salvador Dali’s jewel collection. During World War II,
Touraine moved to California and helped with the war effort by cutting tiny jewel bearings for instruments,
as the German U-boats had made the importation of such jewels from Switzerland impossible. In 1960 Touraine
moved to Scottsdale, Arizona for his wife’s health.

Although the Bicentennial Jewel was made in 1976, scheduling conflicts postponed the presentation to President
Ford until January 10, 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Touraine, along with Congressman John Rhodes, spent more than two
months attempting to get an appointment with President Ford. Rhodes had requested that the jewel be
displayed in the White House; however this was not possible due to the President’s insistence that no
Bicentennial gifts, regardless of value, be displayed at the White House. Since each gift was considered a
gift to the nation, none were to be singled out as better than the others. The Jewel was displayed
privately in the Oval Office for thirty days before being transferred to the National Archives until
suitable display could be arranged in Michigan, where the Ford Museum would be established in 1981.
The necklace has never been worn.

The Bicentennial Jewel remains a beautiful and valuable gift to the nation.